Fourth Years, Lesson Five

Having advised the students to dress for walking in the last lesson, Gabrielle was impatiently waiting at the front of the classroom in walking shorts and a t-shirt. She had water bottles ready for everyone along with a backpack on, and the sphynx portkey was sitting on her desk. She lit up a bit when the students started filing in, ushering them over to the table. "Alright, alright, let's not waste too much time," she said, standing behind the desk for a change to let everyone crowd around.

"You're all pretty lucky, since now you'll get to see the moai for yourselves. Without the lengthy boat journey from here to the island. Or the long flight from Chile. Isn't magic incredible?" Gabrielle smirked, handing around a container of sunscreen so the students could put some on their faces as needed. "A couple of ground rules before we go, though. First, do not touch the moai. Some will be on ceremonial platforms, or ahu. Do not, under any circumstances, walk on those. Just because we're cheeky and can just port our way over to the island doesn't mean we have an excuse to disrespect the culture." She spoke sternly, but softened a little. "And don't go out of your way to bother locals. They aren't there for your entertainment, this is their home we're intruding upon. We'll stick together as a group, take a short trek and take in the sights, and then we'll have some lunch while we're at it." She handed out tickets, just in case they had to present them, and water bottles, before nodding at the students and inviting them to touch the portkey. "Alright, make sure touching the portkey, and brace yourselves."

They were promptly lurched through space to the park, thankfully out of sight of anyone, and after getting themselves in order started the hike along the path, looking at moai along the way and pondering how much they might weigh, or how they might be moved. "You know," Gabrielle started, when she was satisfied there was nobody but the students in earshot. "I think a good reason we study so much of ancient history and cultures is perhaps a reminder that the way we learn magic at Hogwarts is from a Latin, Anglo-Saxon basis. But," she added, looking around, impressed. "I think it's good to be reminded that knowledge and use of magic developed independently around the world, and different cultures have different means of performing spellcraft. And if you want it, the whole world is out there for you to develop your magic by understanding different ways of using it." She snorted a little, shaking her head. "Not that I think that was the Ministry's intention. But it's important to think about." She could tell some of the students were rolling their eyes, and brought them to Ovahe Beach, cautioning them to be very careful in walking down the path. She pulled some warmed containers from her bag, glad the magic had held, and placed out some empanadas for everyone, inviting the students to sit and eat. She knew at least some students would appreciate the food. "Plus," she added, taking one and enjoying the fresh sea air. "It's a nice excuse to vary up the meals."

After spending a little while eating and chatting - and dipping their feet in the ocean if they wanted to - they returned to a safe spot for the portkey to take them all back to the classroom, where they were dismissed for the afternoon.

Homework
RP the lesson. I just used wikitravel for resources but feel free to do a bit of research for flavour if you would like!

 

[Veronica Walden-Cade]

Professor Moncrieffe stood at the front of the classroom, dressed for a field trip. Veronica watched as she handed out water bottles and a container of sunscreen, emphasizing the importance of respecting the culture and people they were about to visit. Professor Moncrieffe's stern yet understanding demeanor was clear as she set ground rules: no touching the moai, no walking on ceremonial platforms, and no bothering the locals. Veronica made sure to take the sunscreen, mindful of the importance of being a respectful visitor, and listened attentively to every word. When the portkey activated, she felt a familiar lurch and was transported to the breath-taking landscape surrounding the moai statues.

Once on the island, Veronica was captivated by the moai, their impressive size and the mystery of how they were moved. She kept close to the group as they trekked along the path, pondering Professor Moncrieffe's comments about the diverse development of magical knowledge around the world. The professor's words resonated, highlighting the vast possibilities and different perspectives in magical studies beyond the traditional confines of Hogwarts. As they reached Ovahe Beach, Veronica gratefully accepted an empanada, enjoying the unique experience of eating by the sea. She dipped her toes in the ocean, feeling a sense of wonder at the rich history and beauty of the world. The trip had left her thoughtful, appreciative of the lesson in cultural respect and the broader perspective it offered on magical education.

 

[Teddy Pirrip]

Teddy listened to Professor Moncrieffe while he dabbed some suncream on his face. When she mentioned not touching the moai, he made a mental note. He wasn’t about to be the guy who messed with sacred artifacts. He touched the portkey though, and felt the tug in his gut before they landed on the island. He followed the professor and was listening to her words about magic developing differently across cultures. It made sense, really. Magic was everywhere, and it had evolved in so many unique ways. Teddy found that idea inspiring, like there was a whole world of magic beyond what they learned at school.

When they reached Ovahe Beach, Teddy took off his top and ran into the ocean, the cool water a welcome break from the hike. Afterwards, he plopped down on the sand and ate his empanada. Once it was time to head back to the castle, he gathered with the group and touched the portkey. He thanked Professor Moncrieffe on the other side then headed out of the classroom.

 

[Millie Walden-Cade]

Millie carefully applied sunscreen, her excitement tempered with a sense of responsibility as Professor Moncrieffe emphasized the importance of respecting the local culture. She listened closely to the ground rules, feeling excited at the thought of seeing the Moai statues up close. As they took hold of the portkey, she braced herself for the familiar pull behind her navel, and soon they were standing in the midst of a lush landscape, the impressive figures of the Moai looming in the distance.

Walking along the path, Millie couldn't help but marvel at the history and the mystery of the statues. She found Professor Moncrieffe's words about the different magical practices around the world to be thought-provoking; it made her consider how much more there was to learn beyond the confines of their usual curriculum. At Ovahe Beach, she appreciated the chance to unwind, enjoying the empanadas while the salty sea breeze brushed her face. It was a rare and valuable experience, one that left her both reflective and appreciative of the broader, diverse world of magic. Once their time was up they took the portkey back to the classroom.